在英语中, 如果句子的主语是并列结构, 其谓语动词的单复数形式通常由该并列结构的单复数意义来决定。
由and或both... and连接的并列主语, 如果意义为复数, 谓语动词用复数形式。例如:
1. Lucy and Lily are going to Jim''''s birthday party.
2. Basketball and swimming are usually summer sports.
3. Both Li Lei and Wei Hua like playing games.
如果并列结构并非指两个或两个以上的人或物, 而仍表示单数意义, 则动词用单数。例如:
1. The singer and dancer often gives a concert in the city. 那位歌唱家兼舞蹈家经常在这个城市举办音乐会。(指一个人)
2. Whisky and soda is his favourite drink. 威士忌酒和苏打水合成的饮料是他最喜欢的饮料。(一种饮料)
如果由and连接的名词词组是each... andeach... 或者every... andevery... 等, 这种结构在意义上仍是单数, 因而谓语动词也用单数形式。例如:
1. Each boy and each girl was given an apple.
2. Every desk and every chair has been cleaned.
如果并列连词是由not only... but also连接, 其谓语动词与最接近的并列成分保持数的一致。例如:
Not only you but also he was late for yesterday''''s class meeting.
由as well as连接的两个名词词组作主语, 其谓语动词的形式, 通常取决于第一个名词词组的单复数形式。例如:
Jim as well as his mates was working during the holidays.
并列主语的连词如果是or, either... or, neither... nor, 谓语动词的单复数形式通常由最接近的并列成分决定。例如:
1. You or he is going there.
2. Either the teacher or his students are going to stay here.
3. Neither you nor I am right.
[注]在非正式语体中, 以上连词连接的两个非复数名词或代词作主语的情况, 谓语动词间或也可以用复数形式。
当主语后面跟as much as, rather than, more than, no less than等引导的从属结构时, 谓语动词的形式依据这些结构之前的主语本身的单复数而定。例如:
1. Some of the workers as much as their boss were responsible for the loss. 一些工人像老板一样应对损失负责。
2. His brother rather than his parents is to blame. 是他的哥哥应受到责备, 而不是他的父母。
3. His wife, more than anyone else in the family, is anxious to go there. 他的妻子比他家里任何其他人更急于到那里去。
4. Man, no less than the lower forms of life, is the product of the evolutionary process. 人类就像生命的低级形式一样也是进化过程的产物。
当主语后面跟with, along with, together with, except等介词引导的词组时, 其谓语动词的形式取决于这些介词词组之前的主语本身的单复数。例如:
1. Jim with his classmates was asked to go there.
2. Mr White, together with his children, plans to visit China next year.
3. Lucy, along with her sister, goes shopping every Sunday.
4. Nothing except a few pictures is on the wall.
[注]在非正式语体中, 上述情况也可以根据复数意义决定谓语动词的形式, 或者根据最接近的项目的单复数来决定谓语动词的形式。 |